Censors Board commits to supporting a ‘smoke-free Nollywood

The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has committed to providing all necessary support within its authority to the Nollywood industry in Nigeria, aiming to curb excessive smoking habits in their productions.

The NFVCB executive director,Dr Shaibu Husseini,made the promise while delivering a presented at a one day seminar titled ”National Stakeholders’ Engagement on smoke-free Nollywood,” held Enugu.

He called for collaboration with actors, film makers, movie producers and others involved in the movie industry in developing creative contents that discourages smoking and promotes positive health messages.

His words,”As you all know,the film industry occupies a central position in the entertainment and creative sector.It is imperative that we continue to place the highest premium on the progress of the film industry by ensuring that films/video works,musical videos and skits are free of depiction and glamorization of harmful substances like smoking of tobacco, violence, criminal acts, immoral acts, ritual killing and money ritual”. 

The NFVCB Boss also promised to ensure that the proposed National Film and Video Regulatory Commission bill is passed into law, while the establishment of a film and video museum for movies classified by the board and equipment used by the board from inception to date.

Dr Shaibu Husseini revealed that NFVCB under his administration will embark on Media literacy across the six zones of the country,starting from the South East zone from the month of August,this year.

He also said the Federal Government has approved the prohibition of money rituals and glamorising of vices in Nigerian films as Nigeria faces an industry emergency requiring bold and ambitious actions from all parents, guardians and stakeholders.

According to him, besides the health implications, glamorising smoking in films poses a negative influence on teens and young adults who constitute the largest segment of Nigerian movie viewers.

Meanwhile the Coordinator, Nigeria Tobacco Control Alliance, Olawale Makanjuola, congratulated the Nigerian Film and Video Censors Board on this important milestone as they collectively seek to make public health a critical priority in the Nigeria society.

“We all know the role film, and most importantly, Nollywood, plays in our culture. For us, there is no better partner than the NFVCB and the creative industry in ensuring that our screens remain smoke-free thereby strengthening our public health infrastructures

“At the NTCA, we will keep striving, working with you all in the campaign to make our films and other creative ventures become instruments of positive change in Nigeria”. Makanjuola said.

He congratulated the DG of NFVCB and his team for taking this bold step with this dialogue aimed at making citizens TV screens smoke-free.

The event was organised by the NFVCB and Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA).

Movie producers, directors and actors drawn from different parts of the country, as well as leaders of various guilds and associations in the Nigerian film industry were present at the event.

Oluchi Okwuego